Count Down To Love

II~The Meeting

~Personal garments are the greatest expression of one's standing in society, but the body is the greatest expression of one's soul. Both are temporary trappings. (Unknown)~

Millascent Eve Karrera

        After locking up the bar I started walking home but as I made it into the neighborhood I knew something was off. It was eerily quiet. I live in a bad part of town, not even the police come around here. There's always drunken gang members hootin' and hollerin' as they wave their guns about, but not tonight. Cautiously I keep making my way towards my apartment building. From a dark alleyway arms wrap around my waist and pull me back. Immediately my hand goes to the pistol at my hip. As I turn to put a bullet in the bastard that grabbed me I recognize Blaine, one of the local gang, standing with his hands up in surrender.

        He quietly began to explain himself as I holster the pistol. "You told us not to start shit on our own turf without your command, so when that guy broke into your apartment we went to safehouses to await our orders. You should come to the safehouse until we can handle this." Until they can handle this, I am quite capable of handling this myself but I do understand what he means. He knows I am capable too but this is just how the gang works. With a simple nod I motion for Blaine to lead the way.

        You see, when I first moved here I had issues with the gang members because I am pretty much the only female that dares live here. More often than not I would have lewd comments shouted at me and I knew after day one that they would not stop. I let it go for about a week before I was entirely fed up. One day a member was shouting obscene things and was caught off guard when I quickly pulled my pistol and shot the wall right beside his head before walking into my building without so much as a second glance.

        It was quiet and peaceful for a time after that but the quiet didn't last long because all too soon Julius came around. He wanted to know who had the audacity to shoot at his men. When he found me he was intrigued. He had barged up to my apartment and, quite angrily, questioned if I was, in fact, the woman that shot at the man. I did not falter under his intimidating gaze as I confessed that I was the one who did it. I believe that is what intrigued him about me. Soon after we started seeing each other which granted me a position in the gang and a title.

        Almost six months back Julius was killed after he was thrown in the penitentiary. There was a riot, many gang members were killed during the ordeal. We were working on getting him out of there and we had a plan in place for the next day. His death landed me the title of boss for this lovely bunch of gentlemen.

        Since then they have been trying to get me to move into one of the safehouses in order to protect me better but I continue to refuse. I just know that the moment Blaine and I reach the safehouse that will be the first topic of debate. Soon enough we arrive and I am bombarded with questions the moment I walk in the door. "Boys, boys I'm fine."

        "You're not going back to that damned apartment. That man could be from a rival gang looking to get rid of you so they can take over our territory with ease!"

        Rolling my eyes I walk to the icebox and pull out a beer. As I respond to the unnecessary worry I fall onto the couch and kick my legs up so I am reclining against the arm. "I've dealt with threats before. It was probably some thugs looking for something good. I'll go back after a little sleep. Blaine, take a few men and bring the intruder here so we can have a little talk." I mindlessly respond to a message asking if I would come into the bar this coming night because our other bartender has gone to the emergency room.

        With a heavy sigh Blaine nods his head and gathers a small group. As they leave I take a long swig and lay my head back on the couch with my eyes closed. "Shall we set a room up for you?"